Matrix-making machine.



, No. 634,7l5. Patented Oct. 10, I899.

E. V. BEALS &. W. B. NORTON.

" MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1898.)

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No. 634,715. I Patented Dot. 1,1399.

' E. V.-BEALS& w. B. NDBTON;

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application flleql Nev. 1, 1893.)

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mnmx' MAKING MACHINE.

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MATRIX MAKING MACHINE. (Appfication filed Nov. 1, 1893.)

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MATRIX-MAKING MACHINE.

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No. 634,7I5. Patented IJct. l0, I899. E. v. BEALS & w. B. NORTON.

v MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application fi1ed. Nov. 1, 1898.)

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Patented Oct. 10, I899.

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MATRlX MAKING MACHINE.

E. Y. BEALS &. W. B. BURTON.

No Model.)

4M U. t w a s M i k v a m o Mr i a l H 1 Q No. 634,715. Patented Oct.l0, I399. EMVPBEALS &. W. B. NORTON.

KING MACH! MATRIX m NE.

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MATRIX MAKING MACHINE (Application filed 110v. 1, 1898.) (No Medal.)

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UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

-ERLE V. BEALS AND WILLIAM B. NORTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MATRIX-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,715, dated October10, 1899.

Application filed November 1, 1893. Serial No. 489,685. (No model-lexact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and

to the figures 0f reference-marked thereon,

i the length of the line of printed matter that which form part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to matrix-making machines, and has for its objectimprovements in that part of the machine in which the impression matrixor mold is prepared from a line of type that hasbeen assembled and 3' ustified for the purpose of producing such a matrix. r

In order to produce a stereotype-plate suitable for printing purposes,there must first lines of. type, each of which reaches across the columnof printed matter and each 'of which is separated from the lineadjoining it In newspaper work the lead used to make the space isfrequently so thin (when type are set solid) that letters extendingbelow the line will almost meet the upstrokes of letters extending abovethe line, and in producing a matrix from which a stereotype-plate is tobe cast provision must be made that the impressions in the matrix ormold at places corresponding to the upstrokes and downstrokes of theletters shall be as clear and distinct as any. other part of the matrix;In the machine which embodies this invention the matrix is made one lineat a time. The dies used in forming the matrix are assembled, justified,and brought .one line at a time to the impression part of the machineand there forced into a suitable matrix composition and are thenremoved; leaving the impression of that line of type in the compositionas a matrix from which the stereotype-plate is cast. The composition isthen advanced one line-space and another line of dies is forced into thefresh surface of matrix compositionthus presented at the impression partof the machine. 7 The matrix composition is soft, and the secondimpression is apt to crowd and distort the first impression unlessprovision be made to prevent such a result, and it is the object of thisin vention to produce a, machine by which the impressions made by thedies shall be formed a line at a time in the matrix compositionsuccessively and close enough together to be used for the production ofa stereotype-plate suitable for printing ordinary newspaper work withoutcrowding or distorting any of the impressions that have been previouslymade in the matrix composition. To acclimplish the desired result, weemploy a strip of matrix composition that has a widthequal to it isdesired to produce. This matrix composition is preferably made of whatis known as stereotype-paper, and it is used in a damp and softcondition. The matrix coniposition is supported on a carriage and fedforward with each succeeding line of impressions, and as the impression'is made and vmatrix from distortion and onthe other hand guard thatpart of the matrix composition which will next come under treatment fromthe heating and drying effect that is being produced in the line incontact with the die-type. In order to produce the high heat necessaryand confine this high heat within the desired limits, we employ for theheating-platen a rod or bar having a high electrical resistance and heatit by passing an electric current through it. On the side of thepressure-bar which lies next to the unused portion of the matrixmaterial is acreasing edge which projects beyond the surface of thedrying-bar and produces a thin crease in the material and guards all thematerial lying beyond the crease from the effects of the heat. When thematerial is advanced for the next impression, the crease formed by thisedge engages with the thin edge of a guard that rises from theaiming-plunger, and this guard prevents the composition under pressurefrom crowding into and distorting the matrix previously made.

' the material.

may be divided into three parts: first, the

type-aliner or type-alining plunger; second, the carriage by which thematrix com position is advanced; third, the plunger, by which thecompressing and drying bar is pushed against the type and the creasingedge pushed into arranged to move into engagement with the type inadvance of the engaging contact of the drying bar with the matrixmaterial, and it remains in engagement with the type after thedrying-bar has been removed from con tact with the matrix composition.The carriage is held by this aiming-plunger and moves vertically withit. It also travels across the vertical axis of the alining-plunger, andthe traveling motion of the carriage is pro duced by the interaction ofa toothed wheel, carried by the aiming-plunger and a rack that isprevented from moving during the return or downward movement of theplunger by a-lug on the main supporting-bracket. The special means forproducing the motion will be described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine.Fig. 2 is a front elevation showing that end of the machine which is atthe right of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a sectionalview on the line X X of Fig. 2. The carriage is shown partly inelevation. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing part of the plunger thatcarries the drying-platen. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing thealining-plunger. It also shows the connection between this plunger andthe alining-bars, between which the front ends of the type are received.Fig. 7 is an end elevation, a small part being shown in section, and itshows particularly the connection between the two plunger-s andindicates the way in which the alining-plunger is supported on thedrying-plunger. Fig.8is an enlarged sectional view showing thedrying-platen andv means for securing it to the body of the plunger andinsulating it. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the alining-plunger as itappears separated from the drying-plunger. Fig. 10 is an enlargedsection at- Y Y of Fig; 1. It shows the clamp by which the matrixcomposition is held to the carriage. Fig. 11 shows the pinion, ratchet,

and the screw by which an intermittent forward motion is given to thecarriage. Fig. 12 shows a partially-finished col u run of matrices.

lindicates a bracket which supports the working parts of the entiremachine and is itself secured to any suitable foundation by bolts 2. Thesupporting-bracket 1 has two or more vertical pillars, each of which isprovided with a slideway or groove, in which engages or travels a runner4, that projects from the body of the plunger 3. The plunger 3 isdivided into three main parts. Of these we will call the upper part 6the head, the middle part 5 the body, and the lower part 9 the shoe. Theshoe 9 hangs between two lobes 4. These lobes hang from the body part ofThe type-alining plunger is. sleeved on the compressing-plunger and isofthe push bar.

the plunger. Each lobe 4 has a vertical groove in'it, and the shoe hastwo runners 8, one on each side, which travel in the grooves of thelobes.

. Below the shoe 9, mounted on a properlyplaced shaft, is a cam-wheel10, that engages with theshoe and reciprocates it. The reciprocation ofthe shoe is communicated to the body 5 of the plunger by a push-bar 11.(See Fig. 4.) The lower end of the push-bar 11 rests loosely in a cavity12 in the shoe. The extreme lower end of the push-bar is round andsmooth and is provided with any suitable means for holding it to theshoe, such as a set-screw. Above the round and smooth part the push-baris still round, but its diameter is increased and it is screw-threadedfor a distance, and on the screw-threads are adj usting-nuts 13, whichregulate the distance that the lower end of the push-bar projects intothe shoe, and consequently enables us to vary the length of the push-barat this end by changing the position of the adjusting-nuts and thedistance the end of the push-bar projects into the shoe. Above thethreaded part of the push-bar it is enlarged and again made smooth, andthis part traverses a nipple 15, which is screwed into the lower end ofthe body 5.

The body part 5 of the plunger 3 has a hole extending vertically throughit, in the lower end-of which is screwed the nipple 15, just spoken of,and the upper end of which receivesand acts as a guide for the upper endBetween the upper and lower ends the hole is enlarged to furnish a placefor a spring. Above the smooth round part 14 of the push-bar is a collar15, that bar, is a coiled spring 16. The collar 15 and the coiled spring16 are in the enlarged part 16 of the hole through the body part 5 ofthe plunger. The lower end of the coiled spring bears against the collarand the upper end bears against the shoulder surrounding the guide-hole18. The tension of the spring is adjusted by turning the nipple 15 inits seat. On the amount of motion given to the pushbar and the tensionof the spring 16' depends the ultimate pressure, which is utilized incompressing the matrix material against the type. The amount of motiongiven by the cam-wheel to the shoe 9 is of course constant, the amountof motion transmitted to the pushbar is regulated by the adjusting-nuts13, and the amount of motion given to the pres sure and drying platen isdetermined by the amount of motion of the push-bar and the tension ofthe spring.

Above the body part 5 of the plunger is the head part 6, madein aseparate piece and bolted to the body part by bolts 7. (See Fig. 5.)Through thehead part 6 is a transverse opening 19, which permits thefree vertical movement of the entire heater-plunger without producing acorresponding movement on with which it is connected, and this verticalmovement is indirectly produced by the movement of the heater-plunger;but it is not uniform with the movement of the heater plunger, as willappear when its own motion is explained.

On each side of the headpiece 6 are runners 20, that engage with groovesin the sleeve 34, which forms the alining-plunger. At the summit of thehead is a mortise ex- 1 5 tending from front to back and lying betweenthe side walls or lips 21. In the mortise is secured a platen-support23, held in place by gihs 24 24' and holding-screws 25. (See Fig. 8.)Through the platen-support 23 are sev- 2o eral vertical holes, each ofwhich is enlarged on the under side or countersunk on the under. side toreceive the heads of screws 28', which secure the platen to the support.(See Fig. 8.) On the upper side of the platen-sup- 25 port is a ledge 26and a side wall similar in form to the half of the mortise between thelips 21. The ledge 26 forms a seat for the heatingplaten .22. Betweenthe heatingplaten and the ledge and between the heat- 0 ing-platen andthe side wall is a suitable insulating material 27 3 also, between theheads 29 of the screws 28 and the platen-support 23 is inserted suitableinsulating material 30, which prevents the head 29 of the screw frommak- 3 5 ing electrical contact with the platen-support.

The body of the'screw is free from contact with the platen-support, asthe screw-hole is of larger diameterthan the screw, as shown, and theheating-platen is thus entirely insu- 0 lated electrically from allparts of the machine.

At each end of the heating-platen is an arm 31, preferably made as ahanger, and each arm 31 has at its lower end a screw-threaded 5 hole 32,in which suitable coupling-screws are driven to couple the electricconducting-wires 33 to the heating-platen. (See Fig. 5.)

The heating-platen is made of metal of a high resistance, so that underproper regula- 0 tion of current it becomes highly heated and heats anddries rapidly the matrix composition in contact with its upper side.

Onthe upper side of the heating-platen and on that edge which lookstoward that per- 5 5 tion of the matrix composition that has not yetbeen treated by the platen is a creaser 22. This is a thin projectionlike a knife-edge, ex-

tending above the face of the heating-platen, whose object is to producea crease of the width of a narrow lead in the matrix material. It alsohas a secondary object to crowd the matrix material against the shoulderof the type, accomplished by reason of the shape and position of thecreaser 22', as is plainly shown in Fig. 8.

Sleeved on the upper end of the heatingplunger is the alining-plunger34. This plunger covers the sides and upper end of the heating-plunger,and an opening is made in this alining-plungeri'rom front to rear acrossthe top, into which the heating-platen rises from below, and thetype-bars are received from above. The type-bars are received betweentwo parallel alining blocks 41, and these alining-blocks are carried bythe alining-plunger on which they are supported by struts 74. (Seen inFig. 6.) Underneath the alining-blocks and between the struts and. abovethe upper end of the heater-plunger is a passage-way 7s for the matrixcomposition. The sleeve of the alining-plunger is held from horizontalmovement but permitted to travel vertically on the heating-plunger byrunners 20, which slide in grooves 35 on the interior of the sleeve.Adjustment for wear is provided for by gibs which are held in place byadjusting-screws 35. The alining-plunger is actuated by the motion ofthe heating-plunger, but its movement is not at all times and under allcircumstances equal to the movement or similar to the movement of theheating-plunger, a difierence of motion being necessary because in orderto produce work of the desired accuracy it is found necessary to bringthe alining blocks into engagement with the type, from which theimpression is to be taken an instant before the pressure- -platen beginsto compress the matrix composition onto the faces of the type and intothe depressions within and between the typefaces. .To do this, thealining-blocks after taking their engaging position come to a full stop,whilethe pressure-platen continues to advance to do its work. We areenabled to produce these results with what may he called a single-strokemechanism by the means we employ of yieldingly supporting thealining-plunger on the pressure-plunger and giving it motion therefrom..

On the sides of the heating or pressure plunger are two flanges 39, onthe upper. side of which are a number of holes 38. In the walls of thesleeve that forms the main part of the alining-plunger 34; are a numberof holes or sockets 37, which open downward and register with the holes38, and in the holes 37 38 are placed springs 36. The sleeve 34 restsyieldingly on these springs. One of the holes 38 extends through theflange and is screw-threaded,'and a screw 36', passing through this holewithin the spring, projects into the socket 36 above it and furnishesan' limit of movement in both directions of the.

sleeve is thus made adjustable by the use of these, springs and adjListing-screws.

40 indicates the opening through the hood of the alining-plunger.

40 indicates a support which is secured in the opening 40 of the hoodand carries at its inner edge a knife-edge which is adapted to engage inthe crease previously made by the creaser 22, and thus protect theimpressions previously made from being distorted by the pressure of theplaten in forming a new line of impressions across the matrixcomposition.

It has also as a secondary object to force the matrix; composition backto the shoulder of the type from which the impression is taken,accomplished by reason of the shape and position. (See Fig. 8.)

Through the hood or sleeve 34 is a carriageway 42, which may be of anysuitable shape to carry a solid or tubular carriage in which aresuitable supports for the matrix composition. We have shown thiscarriage as composed of a piece of round tubing 43, having on one sideof it a spline or feather cut into the form of a rack. The spline orfeather travels in the keyway 44 and serves to hold the carriage steadyfrom rotary movement. The spline or feather is cut into a rack whichengages with feeding mechanism that will be described hereinafter. Onthe forward end of the carriage is an arm 47 ,ad j ustable along thecarriage, but otherwise immovable. This arm 47 is a forward support forthe strip of matrix composition 48, and it is placed at any properposition on the carriage and held in place by a set-screw 55. On theopposite or rear end of the carriage is secured a holdingarm 46, which,however, is hung on pins 52 and can swing with a vibrating motion on thepins 52. The lower end of the vibrating arm 46 is provided withaheel-piece, and between the heel-piece and a lug 54, that hangs fromthe rear end of the carriage, is a spring 53, the object of which is tohold the upper end of the arm 46 back, but permit it to yield slightlyforward under the strain produced by the action of the creasing-knife22.

Each one of the arms 46 47 supports at the upper end a cross-bar havinga length equal to the width of the matrix composition. The upper surfaceof this cross-bar is curved, and above it there is a clamping-jaw 50,which swings on a wrist-pin that is itself eccentric to a rotary shaftor pin 51, by which the wrist-pin is carried. This enables us to adjustthe clamping-jaws 49 50 for different thicknesses of material andenables us to produce a clamping action between the jaws by swinging thejaw 50 on the pin carried by the rotary shaft 51. (See Fig. 10.)

The feeding motion of the carriage is produced by thefollowing-described mechanism: On the sleeve 34, below and at one sideof the carriage, is a bracket 56, (see Fig. 6,) in which there is avertical dovetailed groove, and in the groove is a dovetailed block 57,(see Fig. 4,) which has a slight vertical travel to enable the screwwhich it carries to be thrown in and out of engagement with the rack onthe carriage. It is held from escaping from the bracket by overhangingscrew heads, one above and one below. The one below is seen in Fig. 4 at64. The block 57 supports a short arbor 58, upon which is journaled awormscrew 59 and a ratchet-wheel 60, the latter made integral with apinion 61. Pawls 59 on pins on the worm-screw 59 are held in engagementwith the ratchet-wheel 60 by springs 59 (See Fig. 11.) The parts are allsecured on the arbor by a nut 62 and are held from movement verticallyby a jam-screw 65, that passes through the arbor, on which the movableparts turn, and through the block 57 and engages with the bracket 56behind the block. These parts, which are employed to actuate thecarriage, are moved to bring the wormscrew into or out of operativeengagement with the rack on the carriage by loosening the jam-screw 65and moving the block 57 up or down, as may be desired.

In operation the carriage is given a forward motion by turning thepinion 61 by means of the rack 66,which is guided by lugs 68 and 71, thelatter of which is on the main supportingbracket 1 and the other ofwhich is on the alining-plunger. The lug 71 on the supporting-bracket isperforated, and the stemof the rack 66 passes through the perforation.There is also on the stem of the rack a movable collar 72, adjustablealong the stem and held in place after adjustment by a set-screw 73. Theupper end of the rack 66 is held in engagement with the pinion 61 by aguide 68, which is formed as a lug or bracket on the sleeve 34. (SeeFigs. 2 and 6.) Above the guide 68 is a stop 69, adjustable along therack and held in its adjusted position bya set-screw 70. The properadjustment of the two stops 69 and 72 enables us to produce a feedmotion of the carriage regulated to any desired amount that will berequired for the work to be done, and we are able to adjust the feedmotion with extreme nicety. The forward motion of the carriage takesplace with the downstroke of the plungers, and to adjust the forwardmotion to any desired length we first set the stop 60 at an index-lineon the rack 66 and raise the plungers until the carriage is in its mostelevated position, next drop the stop 72 into engagement with the lug 71and set it, then lower the plungers, and the carriage advances as theplungers lower by reason of the rack being held by the lug 71 and thepinion 61 moved downwardly therealon g. Continue to lower the plungersuntil the carriage has advanced exactly the desired distance, loosen theupper stop 69, and drop it into engagement with the guide 68, and setthe screw 70. Next drop the worm-screw out of engagement with the rack45 on the carriage, so that the carriage will not be fed by a downwardmovement of the pl ungers, and drop the plungers as far down as theywill go, loosen the lower setscrew 73 and drop the rack until the stop69 again engages with the lug 68, set the stop 72, and loosen the stop69 and lift it to the index- ICC - whereby the two plungers come intopressing the rack on the carriage.

.th e type, and an independent plu nge'r adapted chine, the combinationof a clamp adjustably line. Replace the worm-screwin gear with I On itsnext upwardstroke the sleeve in rising rises through the distancebetween the stop 69 and the lug 68 without producing any upward movementof the rack 66. It then lifts the rack through the remainder of thestroke of the plunger.. On the return or down movement of the sleeve therack drops with the plunger until the stop 72 engages the lug 71, andthrough there- -mainder of the down movement of the plum gerthe rack 66,whichis held by stop '72, actuates the pinionand gives it the desiredforward movement.

What we claim is- 1. In a matrix-machine, the combination of a plungeradapted to engage with and aline to press the composition against thetype, the said first-mention ed plunger being sleeved on the second andyieldingly securedthereto,

engagement successively. 2. In a matrix-making machine, in comhi nationwith the type-alining mechanism,-pressure mechanism and acreasing-knife, a car- 'riage having atorward matrixholding clamp and arear swinging clamp.

3. In a carriage for a matrix-making ma- 4.. In combination with thecarriage of a matrix-m aking machine,a movable alining-pl un ger andmechanism actuated by said plunger and adapted to give forward movementto the carriage. v

5. In combination with the carriage of a matrix making machine aworm-rack extending lengthwise of the carriage, a worm screw meshingwith said rack, a pinion, ratchetwheel and pawl, adapted to actuate saidworm-screw, a loose rack meshing with said pinion and mounted in guides,one of which is fixed and the other movable and stops on said rackwhereby the forward movement 0 the carriage may be regulated.

6. In combination with a carriage of a matrix-making machine, a clampcomprising a jaw having a round bearing-surface, a revoluble shaft,pins'eccentrically of said shaft, and a bar forming the second jawpivoted on said pins.

7. In a matrixqnaking machine as a means for regulating the stroke ofthe pressureplaten, a pressure-platen, a push-bar adjustable in relationthereto, a spring interposed between the push-bar and the platen, andmeans for moving the push-bar.

S. In a matrix-making machine as a means for regulating the stroke ofthe pressureplaten, a platen, a push-bar, a spring interposed betweenthe platen and push-bar,a shoe on said bar, an actuating means adaptedto engage said shoe, and adjusting-nut on the push-bar adapted toregulate the position of said shoe on the push-bar. -l

9. As a means for regulating the stroke of the pressure-platen of amatrix-making'machine, a push-bar, a platen-carrying plunger,

a spring interposed between said push-bar and plunger, an actuator forsaid plunger, a shoe interposed between the push-bar and the saidactuator, and adj usting-nuts regulating the place of engagement betweenthe shoe and the actuator.

10. In a matrix-making machine, the combination of a pressure-plunger,an aliningplunger yieldingly sleeved on the pressureplnnger; springconnections between the pressure. and alining plnngers, and means forlimiting the yielding motion of said alining- I having alining-bars toengage and aline the type, an impression-plunger carrying a platen toengage and impress the composition, said alining-plunger having avertical movement and sliding in ways upon the impression-plunger,springs interposed between the two plungers, a cam for actuating theplungers, a shoe against which the cam abuts and yielding connectionsbetween the impression-plunger and the shoe.

13. In a matrix-making machine, the combination of animpression-plunger, atype= alining device yieldingly supported by saidimpression-plunger, and means for operating said impression-plunger.

14. In a matrix-making machine, the com bination of animpression-plunger, a carriage for the matrix material supported by saidim pression-plunger, and mechanism for feeding said carriage.

15. In a matrix-making machine, the com bination of animpression-plunger, means for operating the same, acarriage for thematrix" material'supported by said plunger,and mechanism supported bysaid plunger for moving said carriage transversely of the line ofmovement of the plunger.

16. In a matrix-making machine, the combination of animpression-plunger, means for operating the same, an alining-plungercarried by said impression-plunger, a carriage for the matrix materialmounted in bearings on the alining-plunger, and working in hole orrecess in the impression-plunger, and mechanism for feeding the carriagetransversely of the line of movement of the plunger.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we hereby aflix oursignatures in presenee oftwo witnesses.

ERLE V. BEALS.

. WM. 13. NORTON.

Witnesses: O. H. Nonron, CHARLES F. BURTON.

tit?

